Changing Our Desires
How is that we change so much when we come to know Christ? The answer is simple, but it is overlooked by some people. Philippians 2:13 gives the answer, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." God gives us the will and the ability to do what pleases Him. That brings a great change. We can do what we want to do, but our "want to's" change.
So, do you have the will to do what God desires you to do? The only way you will have that desire to choose His will is through salvation, and His presence in your life. Do you have the ability to do His will? That too comes from the power of the Spirit, who is in you after salvation. Therefore, the change in direction comes from the change of ownership. After salvation, we belong to the Lord, and He works in us for His good pleasure.
Once our desires change, our lives are dramatically different. If we start to become selfish, God works in our hearts to show us that displeases Him. He may even have to punish us for disobedience, because He is determined to lead us to do what pleases Him. He does this for our own good. His good pleasure is always the best thing for us. Therefore, it is to our advantage to cooperate with Him and joyfully allow Him to make us more like Jesus each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 2-4.
February 16 – Romans 3:23; 6:23
We have all sinned, but we must not take sin lightly. The wages of sin is death, so we must begin to hate sin as God does. Then, we must set our hearts on righteousness. We can’t work for righteousness. It only comes as a free gift through knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray that we will all hate sin and love righteousness.
So, do you have the will to do what God desires you to do? The only way you will have that desire to choose His will is through salvation, and His presence in your life. Do you have the ability to do His will? That too comes from the power of the Spirit, who is in you after salvation. Therefore, the change in direction comes from the change of ownership. After salvation, we belong to the Lord, and He works in us for His good pleasure.
Once our desires change, our lives are dramatically different. If we start to become selfish, God works in our hearts to show us that displeases Him. He may even have to punish us for disobedience, because He is determined to lead us to do what pleases Him. He does this for our own good. His good pleasure is always the best thing for us. Therefore, it is to our advantage to cooperate with Him and joyfully allow Him to make us more like Jesus each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 2-4.
February 16 – Romans 3:23; 6:23
We have all sinned, but we must not take sin lightly. The wages of sin is death, so we must begin to hate sin as God does. Then, we must set our hearts on righteousness. We can’t work for righteousness. It only comes as a free gift through knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray that we will all hate sin and love righteousness.